The Matrix 5is coming at a hugely important moment for this long-running sci-fi series, with the future of the franchise potentially resting on the sequel’s success.TheMatrixmovieshave been very divisive over the years, with some audiences loving the direction that the Wachowskis took following the 1999 original - and others believing that the series is steadily moving downhill.
The Matrix Resurrectionswas a major tipping point for the franchise, as Lily Wachowski demonstrated someeven moreambitious storytelling that even took aim atMatrixfans through its self-aware social commentary. There’s no denying thattheMatrixfranchise looks very different today than it did in the ‘90s, andThe Matrix 5holds a very important responsibility to bring the series back to its roots.
The Matrix 5 Will Have A Lot Of Pressure On It To Be Great
The Movie Needs To Keep A Faltering Franchise Alive
There’s always been lots of pressure riding on theMatrixsequels to live up to the greatness of the original movie, butThe Matrix 5feels like the most important of them all. This is the sequel that will essentially decide whetherThe Matrixfranchise even has a future, asResurrections’ mixed reception has already soured a lot of long-time fans on the series.
The Matrix 5simply can’t make the same mistake. If it’s another critical and commercial failure, it’s hard to imagine Warner Bros. agreeing to keep the sequels coming. They won’t keep returning to this $1.7 billion franchise if interest continues to decline, as has been the trend at the box office for the last two installments.
$467 million
$741 million
$427 million
The Matrix Resurrections(2021)
$157 million* (released during COVID-19 and simultaneously on HBO Max)
An argument could be made thatReloadedandRevolutionshad the most pressure on them, because the franchise simply wouldn’t have continued if they’d been complete failures. But, they were also filmed back-to-back, guaranteeing that both films were coming out no matter how the second did.Revolutions' disappointing reception put the franchise on ice for nearly two decades then.
WithResurrectionsalso failing to properly reignite the franchise,Matrix 5has the responsibility of proving that theMatrixcan continue to existas a franchise. Prequels and spinoff projects are reportedly in the works, but any happening will surely depend on how the next movie does.
Though it’s excellent to see that Lily Wachowski was able to deliver on her bold ambition forThe Matrix Resurrections, the next movie needs to be more accessible and digestible for general audiences, without all the complex self-aware satire that madeResurrectionsso hit-and-miss. A simple (but thoughtful) sequel is the only way to prove thatThe Matrixdeserves to stay alive.
That job now falls to Drew Goddard, who was announced to write and direct a new installment in the franchise in April 2024. It’s been over a year since that announcement came, and there’s still not much clarity on what the movie will be. There’s no sign that Goddard or Warner Bros. is rushing this film, which is hopefully a good sign that they’re aiming to do it correctly.
Focusing on new characters and fresh locations would giveThe Matrix 5enough room to distance itself from the controversialMatrix Resurrections, but there will still need to be some franchise Easter eggs and recurring characters to appease long-time fans. Gently rebooting the series and redirecting the narrative seems like the most reliable way forThe Matrix 5to redeem the franchise.
This would raise more questions aboutwhether Keanu Reeves will return forThe Matrix 5. Following a new group of characters is an appealing option, and leaving him out may be best for everyone. Neo’s story was brought to a satisfying conclusion inRevolutions, and it was the decision to bring him back inResurrectionsthat rubbed many long-time fans the wrong way.
Now, once again,Neo has a fulfilling ending that shouldn’t be disturbed just for the sake of another sequel. The franchise has already proved with movies likeThe Animatrixthat it’s possible to makeThe Matrixwork without relying on Keanu Reeves’ protagonist, and this kind of soft reboot is exactly what the franchise needs.
The Matrix 5 Needs To Be The First Sequel That Lives Up To The Original
The Matrix Is Still Comfortably Better Than Any Of Its Sequels
However, all of this speculation about howThe Matrix 5could shake up its narrative will ultimately prove useless if the movie simply isn’tgood. Regardless of how you respond to the bold storytelling choices that have divided theMatrixfandom, it’s hard to argue thatanyof the sequels have matched the sheer quality and technical proficiency of the original.
The Matrix 5needs to return to this level of high-quality filmmakingif there’s any hope of the franchise securing a future for itself. Audiences are getting sick of these repetitive sequels that try so hard to distance themselves from the original movie that they end up alienating the very fans they’ve been made for.The Matrixshould be the blueprint for its sequels, not an idea to subvert.
The movie needs to take a very bold swing (drifting away from Neo, for example) to remind viewers that there’s still plenty of creativity and originality left in this series.
With some skepticism existing about whetherThe Matrix 5should even happen, there’s every reason for the franchise to make sure it gets this next movie right. Another lackluster installment may sink the sci-fi franchise for good. The movie needs to take a very bold swing (drifting away from Neo, for example) to remind viewers that there’s still plenty of creativity and originality left in this series.
